Youth and Sports Minister Azalina Othman Said was today denied entry to the Commonwealth Games Village in Melbourne due to security reasons.

Azalina who arrived at about 9am (about 7am Malaysian time) was allowed to enter only the International Zone situated just outside the perimeter of the Village.

She was told that since today was the opening ceremony, nobody except the athletes and officials staying in the village can go in and out.

According to a Bernama report, the minister had wanted to visit the athletes at their quarters and view the facilities there.

Media personnel who had waited outside the Games Village in anticipation of her visit were denied entry even into the International Zone, unlike the normal procedure where a daily entry pass would enable journalist to enter the zone.

"It is a little weird but we have to abide by their procedures," Azalina told Bernama after meeting team managers.

Mission accomplished

Though disturbed by the incident, the minister said she had accomplished her mission - to forward a message to Malaysian athletes, coaches, officials and managers.

Azalina said she met all team managers and gave them the task to monitor and report the progress and performance of athletes under their care.

"I was told that ample food was made available at the Games Village for free but I do not want athletes to eat more than what is required so as to keep themselves in shape. They should also keep away from 'sambal' at least for the duration of the Games.

"This is not a holiday resort and athletes are here to represent the country at a very high level competition," she added.

The minister was also happy that national cyclist Josiah Ng had recovered from a throat infection and resumed training today.

"I was told that Josiah started training today and I hope he will be ready by Friday when his competition starts," she added.

EAD athlete seeks treatment

In a related development Fraidden Dawan, an Elite Athlete With Disability (EAD) from the Malaysian contingent was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital to check on a chronic wound on his leg.

The wound is said to have been troubling him for months.

Fraidden, an amputee swimmer, has a wound in his amputated leg, at the point where the artificial limp was fitted.

The friction between his artificial leg and his flesh had resulted in a raw wound which refused to heal.

The wound has, over time, become septic and caused a lot of pain and problem. Constant cleaning and dressing is required.

If the wound does not heal, he may have to miss his event, which is the 100m freestyle S10 (Amputees) scheduled for Monday.